SIE Santa Monica Studio dropped a 20-minute gameplay showcase for "God of War Laufey" during the latest PlayStation State of Play, confirming the new installment in the "God of War" series will star Kratos's wife, Laufey—better known as Faye.
However, despite Faye's death in the 2018 "God of War," this new title isn't the prequel many fans speculated it would be. Instead, it's a post-mortem journey that runs parallel to the timelines of both "God of War" (2018) and "God of War: Ragnarök."
According to the official description, death was supposed to be the end, but for Faye, a new adventure is just beginning. After her death, she unexpectedly awakens in a strange realm and discovers that the plans she laid in life to protect Kratos and Atreus are now in jeopardy. To save her loved ones, she must traverse the "Everywhen," the afterlife of the gods. In this domain filled with dangerous magic, she will confront ruthless deities from various mythologies, all vying for power.
As for why the team chose not to explore Faye's story before her death, Game Director Ariel Lawrence told IGN that while a prequel was discussed and those events remain compelling, the developers wanted to pick up where players last saw Faye—in her deceased state.
"It was very important for us to be on the same starting block as the player," Lawrence said. She noted that the team wants to push the story forward from Faye's perspective, allowing both her and the player to truly explore this new world for the first time.
Santa Monica Studio's Creative Director, Cory Barlog, also revealed that this narrative thread was first seeded back in the 2018 "God of War." In "Ragnarök," the core of Odin's fear was the unanswered question, "What happens after a god dies?" "God of War Laufey" is set to explore that very concept.
Barlog described Faye's death as one of the most significant in this world, serving as the perfect catalyst for a story of "rebirth." He stated that the new game will reveal that the "God of War" universe is far more expansive than just the Greek and Norse sagas, with all mythological worlds being interconnected and influencing one another.
With this premise revealed, fans are already speculating whether Faye's actions in the "Everywhen" might have indirectly influenced some of the unresolved events in "God of War" (2018) or "Ragnarök." If Barlog's comments hold true, "God of War Laufey" is shaping up to be more than just a spin-off; it could be a crucial new chapter that ties the entire series' world-building together.
via： IGN